The Delhi-Mumbai Expressway carriageway from Jaitpur towards Maharani Bagh and Sarai Kale Khan has been reopened to traffic, restoring a direct route for commuters travelling from Faridabad into Delhi after the stretch was closed over concerns about rising congestion and junction safety.
The three-lane carriageway was closed after traffic pressure increased at the Sarai Kale Khan end and vehicles began taking longer to clear the area. The reopening follows safety measures installed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), including rumble strips intended to slow vehicles before they merge with traffic near Maharani Bagh and the Ashram Flyover.
According to the report by Live Hindustan – NCR, Delhi Traffic Police had raised concerns about the expressway exit and its connection with the existing Ring Road network. The police said fast-moving and heavy traffic arriving from the expressway could merge abruptly with vehicles already using the Ring Road. Vehicles then divide towards New Friends Colony and the Ashram Flyover, creating several potential conflict points at the junction.
NHAI said a road safety audit conducted in May had found the route and junction safe from a traffic operations perspective. However, following the concerns raised by the traffic police, rumble strips were installed on the approach towards Maharani Bagh and the Ashram Flyover. Additional rumble strips were placed on the loop used by vehicles approaching from the Sarai Kale Khan side to reduce vehicle speeds at the merging point.
The carriageway had initially been opened on the night of 1 September. The subsequent increase in traffic volume led to longer delays and congestion around Sarai Kale Khan. On the recommendation of the traffic police, the route from Jaitpur towards Sarai Kale Khan was then closed to manage the pressure on the surrounding road network.
The reopening is expected to make travel from Faridabad towards central and south-east Delhi more direct, but it will also add traffic to the Sarai Kale Khan area. Delhi Traffic Police will monitor vehicle movement and congestion at the junction. If traffic conditions deteriorate, the police may deploy additional personnel at the location and introduce immediate operational measures.
The traffic police may also prevent vehicles visiting the CNG station near the junction from stopping on the carriageway, as roadside parking or queuing could further restrict movement. The authorities will use traffic conditions at the reopened connection to determine whether additional interventions are required.
